Quick disconnect accessory mount and safety latch

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for facilitating the quick assembly and disassembly of firearm accessories onto a rail, providing users with versatile and modular firearm capability to accommodate variable field conditions and missions. A dual safety mechanism avoids unintentional release. A streamlined design minimizes the potential for catching foreign objects.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to mechanisms for releasable mounting of variousdevices on a support structure, and, more particularly, to mechanismsfor facilitating the quick and secure assembly and disassembly offirearm accessories onto a rail system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the field of combat and commercial weaponry expands, numerous add-onenhancements or accessories have become available for attachment tobasic models. Firearms such as the M-16/M4 and AR-15 rifles, as well astheir numerous variants, are often used with accessories such as bipods,scopes, sights, lasers, and lighting devices. Typically, suchaccessories are associated with the firearm via one or more railspositioned below, above or on the sides of the barrel. Such a rail mayinclude a number of mounting projections interleaved with a series ofgrooves, and these mounting projections and grooves may be employed toassociate the accessory with the rail.

Rails usually conform to certain standards. For example, two commonrails include the “Picatinny” MIL-STD 1913 rail and the “Weaver” rail;both include interleaved mounting projections and grooves, but differ indimension.

Firearm accessories have historically been mounted by means of mountingscrews. This is typically referred to as a permanent mount since theaccessory will typically remain assembled to the firearm until the endof a mission. Because various missions often require a different set ofaccessories, there is a need for versatile and reliable quick-disconnect(QD) attachment mechanisms, also known as “throw lever” mechanisms. Thisis especially important when in-the-field modification of a weaponconfiguration is necessary, and can be absolutely critical in combatsituations.

As the name indicates, quick disconnects enable the quick disconnectfrom the mount. However the initial connection to a specific railrequires an initial adjustment. Subsequent connections are then quick.Such adjustment provides the user with a means to compensate for therails dimensional tolerances, which can vary from rail to rail and evenfrom position to position on the same rail.

A typical throw lever includes a fixed mount portion and a lever armportion. The lever arm portion may be actuated to selectively clamp thethrow lever to the rail, or to release the throw lever from the rail.However, there are several types of QD mechanisms.

In one type, the lever arm portion may indirectly act on the clampingportion via an intervening cam. The cam may then transfer the movementof the lever arm portion to the clamping portion, forcing the clampingportion into abutment against the rail. Systems of this type often havea fixed mount with 2 clamping surfaces and a movable clamp with twoclamping surfaces. Commercially available examples include products fromAmerican Defense Manufacturing and Daniel Defense.

In another type, the lever arm portion of the throw lever may directlymove the clamping portion into abutment against the rail. Systems ofthis type often have a fixed mount portion with 3 clamping surfaces anda movable clamp with one clamping surface. Commercially availableexamples include products from LaRue and ARMS. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,845,871and 5,276,988 of Swan as well as U.S. Pat. No. 7,272,904 B2 and2014/0082985 A1 of LaRue also describe such mounting systems. They are,however, more complicated to manufacture and involve more parts than arenecessary to achieve the desired functionality.

While the tension of the clamping assembly is normally adequate toretain the actuator arm in the engaged position, one problem with throwlevers is that if the firearm is subject to sustained vibrations fromtransport or rapid fire, or if the lever arm snags against an externalobject, the throw lever may loosen. This can cause the mount to shift,which can be especially detrimental for sighting devices, such as opticsor lasers, where it will result in the aim-point of a sighting devicebeing lost. In other instances, the throw lever may even rotate afterloosening, resulting in dislodgement of the mount and the attachedaccessory from the weapon. For this reason, some firearm operators takethe precaution of tethering the accessory to the firearm using a string,so that the accessory is not lost if the throw lever opens.

U.S. Pat. No. 2006/0207156 A1 to LaRue discloses a lever safety latch.However this safety latch may be accidentally released by friction ordirect shock.

Furthermore, many existing quick-disconnect mounts define projectingcomponents that tend to catch on various objects or vegetation as afirearm is being carried by a user.

What is needed, therefore, are quick-disconnect mounts that include alatching system allowing for adjustment to accommodate various rails ofslightly differing dimensions, adequately prevent accidental rotation ofthe actuator arm even under the harshest operating conditions andminimize the potential for catching and becoming tangled during use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention provides an adjustable accessorymounting system for releasable attachment to a mounting rail, the systemcomprising a mounting base having a plurality of angular rail clampingsurfaces, the mounting base having at least one lever pivot cylinderopening therein; at least one locking lever comprising a pivot cylinderfurther comprising at least one threaded hole configured for insertioninto and rotation relative to the lever pivot cylinder opening, andfurther comprising a peripheral angulated cam surface being moveableinto a force transmitting locking engagement with one of the oppositelyangulated clamping surfaces upon rotation of the locking lever from arelease position to a clamping position; an adjustment member threadedto the threaded hole of the locking lever pivot cylinder whereby, uponrotation of the adjustment member, adjustment of the clamping positionof the peripheral angulated cam surface relative to one of theoppositely angulated clamping surfaces is effected, wherein theadjustment member, after adjustment, is bonded with low strengthadhesive to the pivot cylinder threaded hole so as to resist inadvertentrotation of the adjustment member relative to the pivot cylinder; and aresilient member installed between the mounting base and the adjustmentmember, continuously urging the locking lever against the mount rail,towards the mounting base.

An embodiment of the present invention provides such an adjustableaccessory mounting mechanism further comprising: a locking memberintegral with or mounted to the mounting base; and a safety latchmounted to the locking lever and having a latched position securing thelocking lever at the clamping position and an open position permittingrotation of the locking lever from the clamping position to the releaseposition.

One embodiment of the present invention provides an accessory mount forreleasable attachment to a mount rail, comprising: a mounting basehaving angulated rail clamping surfaces; at least one locking levermounted to the mounting base and having a clamping position establishingclamping engagement with the mount rail and a release position releasingclamping engagement with the mount rail, the locking lever comprising aperipheral angulated cam surface and a latch projection; a safety latchassembled to the mounting base, selectively engaging the latchprojection when the locking lever is at the clamping position andsecuring the locking lever against rotation from the clamping position,and configured for selective separation from the latch projection,whereby rotation of the locking lever from the clamping position to therelease position may be effected; and a resilient member continuouslybiasing the safety latch to the latched position.

An embodiment of the present invention provides such an accessory mountfor releasable attachment to a mount rail, wherein, when the lockinglever is in the clamping position, the projection of the locking leveron a plane perpendicular to the axis of the resilient member iscontained within the projection of the mounting base on the same plane.

An embodiment of the present invention provides such an accessory mountfor releasable attachment to a mount rail, wherein the safety latch doesnot protrude substantially from the mounting base.

One embodiment of the present invention provides an accessory mount forreleasable attachment to a mount rail, comprising: a mounting basehaving a rail engaging clamp member; at least one locking lever mountedto the mounting base and moveable from a clamping position forestablishing clamping engagement with the mount rail to a releaseposition releasing clamping engagement with the mount rail; a safetylatch assembled to the locking lever, having a latched position securingthe locking lever at the clamping position and having an open positionpermitting rotation of the locking lever from the clamping position; anda resilient member continuously biasing the safety latch to the latchedposition.

An embodiment of the present invention provides such an accessory mountfor releasable attachment to a mount rail, wherein, when the lockinglever is in the clamping position, the projection of the locking leveron a plane perpendicular to the axis of the resilient member iscontained substantially within the projection of the mounting base onthe same plane.

An embodiment of the present invention provides such an accessory mountfor releasable attachment to a mount rail, wherein the safety latch doesprotrude substantially from the mounting base.

The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and,in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparentto one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings,specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that thelanguage used in the specification has been principally selected forreadability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope ofthe inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top, rear, right-side perspective view illustrating a railmounted quick disconnect device configured in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a bottom, front, left-side exploded perspective view of alocking lever mechanism in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2B is a front, elevated section view of a locking lever mechanismin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a bottom, front, left-side exploded perspective views of alocking lever and safety latch mechanism in accordance with embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a top, rear, right-side exploded perspective view of lockinglever and safety latch mechanisms in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a top, rear, right-side detail perspective view of a lockinglever in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a rear elevation section view of a safety latch mechanism inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a rear elevation section view of a safety latch mechanism inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5C is a rear elevation section view of a safety latch mechanismwith a locking lever in an open position, in accordance with embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a perspective section view of a safety latch mechanism inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B is a perspective section view of a safety latch mechanism inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6C is a rear, bottom, left-side perspective section view of asafety latch mechanism in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7A is a top view of a second embodiment of a safety latch inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a top view of a second embodiment of a safety latch inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7C is a top view of a second embodiment of the safety latch with alocking lever in an open position, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7D is an upside-down front elevation view of a second embodiment ofthe safety latch with a locking lever in a locked position, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7E is an upside-down front elevation view of a second embodiment ofthe safety latch with a locking lever in an open position, in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7F is a top view of a second embodiment of the safety latch with alocking lever in an open position, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7G is a bottom, front, left-side perspective view of a secondembodiment of the safety latch with a locking lever in a lockedposition, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8A is a bottom, front, left-side perspective view of a thirdembodiment of the safety latch with a locking lever in a lockedposition, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8B is a top, rear, right-side perspective view of a thirdembodiment of the safety latch with a locking lever in a lockedposition, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8C is a top, front, right-side detail perspective view of a thirdembodiment of a locking lever in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8D is a bottom, rear, right-side detail perspective view of a thirdembodiment of a locking lever in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8E is a front, bottom, left-side exploded perspective view of athird embodiment of a safety latch in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 9A is a top, rear, right-side perspective view of an accessory sideof a mounting base in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9B is a top, rear, right-side perspective view of an accessory sideof a mounting base in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9C is a top, rear, right-side perspective view of an accessory sideof a mounting base in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9D is a top, rear, right-side perspective view of an accessory sideof a mounting base in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9E is a top, rear, right-side perspective view of an accessory sideof a mounting base in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9F is a top, rear, right-side perspective view of the accessoryside of the mounting base in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 9G is a top, rear, right-side perspective view of the accessoryside of the mounting base in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a mechanism forfacilitating the quick assembly and disassembly of accessories onto arail that is more cost effective to manufacture.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide aquick-disconnect mechanism that provides enhanced features againstaccidental release of the mechanism.

It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide anaccessory mount mechanism that eliminates or minimizes the potential forcatching foreign objects and becoming tangled.

The present disclosure provides a quick-disconnect mounting system forMIL 1913 Picatinny and NATO Accessory Rail Stanag 4694 rail systemscommonly used on modular weapons systems. The teachings of thisdisclosure, however, shall not be limited to firearms or to the specificaforementioned rail specification, as embodiments of the presentdisclosure may readily be adapted for use in conjunction withphotographic and video equipment as well as for other applications.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an adjustable, rotatable,locking lever actuated clamp mechanism, also known as a throw-leverclamping system, for the quick assembly and disassembly of firearmaccessories such as aiming devices, laser illumination devices, lightingdevices and bipods onto a firearm mount rail. Embodiments also providelocking or latching systems for positively maintaining throw-levers in aclosed clamping position to prevent inadvertent opening due to firearmhandling in rough field conditions such as sustained vibrations, shocksand friction with clothing, walls or terrain.

Notable improvements over the prior art include a dual safety mechanismto prevent unintentional release and a streamlined design to minimizethe potential for catching or snagging on foreign objects.

Now referring to FIGS. 1-6, which illustrate the assembly of the presentdisclosure according to a first embodiment. The present disclosurecomprises two mechanisms: a locking lever mechanism and a safety latchmechanism.

Now referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of the present disclosure,assembled onto a rail 8 is shown. Rail 8 has four oppositely angulatedclamping surfaces 80, defining a generally elongated hexagon with threepairs of parallel sides (2 trapezoids sharing the long side) matingsurface for accessories.

Now referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an exploded perspective view of thelocking lever mechanism of the present disclosure is shown. Notably, thelocking lever mechanism only requires four components: a mounting base1, a locking lever 2, a resilient member 3 and an adjustment member 4.The resilient member 3 may be in the form of a circular wave spring orother suitable device. The adjustment member 4 may be in the form of ascrew, shoulder screw, bolt, thumbscrew or the like.

The mounting base 1 may further comprise a lever pivot cylinder opening12, which may advantageously be of a generally cylindrical shape. Thelocking lever 2, in embodiments, further comprises a pivot cylinder 21suitable for insertion into said lever pivot cylinder opening. The pivotcylinder 21 and the lever pivot cylinder opening 12 are designed for aclose fit while still enabling rotation therebetween. Relief cuts andgrooves in the lever pivot cylinder opening 12 and/or pivot cylinder 21may be added to allow for debris to escape without exceeding the scopeof the disclosure.

The retention member 4 may be threaded in the locking lever's threadedhole 22 (depicted in FIG. 4). Alternate methods of establishingadjustment of a retention member 4 are assumed to be known to those ofordinary skill in the art.

The mounting base 1, in embodiments and when used in conjunction withMIL 1913 Picatinny rail systems, may have 3 angulated clamping surfaces10 dimensioned to mate with 3 of the rail's surfaces 80. When designedfor the NATO Accessory Rail Stanag 4694 system, the mounting base wouldclamp against a different set of rail surfaces.

The resilient member 3, in embodiments, is mounted so as to bias thelocking lever 2 towards mounting base 1, as shown in FIG. 2B.

Variation in rails 8 may be compensated for by adjustment of retentionmember 4. Once the position of retention member 4 yielding the desiredclamping force has been determined, it is important that the retentionmember 4 does not rotate in relation to the locking lever 2 when thelocking lever 2 rotates around the mounting base 1. To achieve this, theretention member 4 may be bonded with an adhesive (not shown) into thelocking lever's threaded hole 22. To enable the later adjustment for usewith other rails, a non-permanent adhesive should be used. Anon-permanent adhesive, for the purposes of this specification should beconsidered an adhesive whose strength is enough to resist the frictionforce of the resilient member 3 against the retention member 4, butwhose strength is weak enough so as to enable the bond to be brokenthrough the use of a tool such as a wrench to unscrew the retentionmember 4. Alternatively, or jointly, an interference fit may beimplemented between the retention member 4 and the locking lever'sthreaded hole 22. Alternatively, resilient member 3 may be designed soas to have enough travel amplitude to compensate for dimensionaltolerances in rails 8 while providing adequate clamping force and ashoulder screw may be used as retention member 4.

Now referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of the locking lever 2 isshown. The locking lever 2 features a peripheral angulated cam surface28. This surface, in embodiments, comprises a long straight section 20designed to contact the fourth oppositely angulated clamping surface 80(the one that is not in contact with the mounting base 1) and a shortstraight section 24. The distance from the locking lever's axis to thelong straight section 20 is greater than the distance to the shortstraight section 24 to enable engagement and disengagement from rail 8.

The locking lever 2 may also, in embodiments, feature a safety latchcavity 25. The safety latch cavity 25 also has a latch head well 26 thatmay be cylindrical as in this disclosure but may also be of anydifferent shape without exceeding the scope of the present disclosure.These features are used for the safety latch mechanism.

The locking lever 2 is said to be in clamping position when the longstraight section 24 contacts a rail clamping surface 80. The lockinglever 2 is said to be in release position when the locking lever hasrotated away from the clamping position.

Now referring to FIG. 3A and 3B, exploded perspective views of both thelocking lever mechanism and the safety latch mechanism in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention are shown. The safety latchmechanism comprises three further components: a safety latch 5, aresilient member 6 and a safety latch head 7, as well as an additionalfeature in the mounting base 1: safety latch cavity 14.

The resilient member 6 may be in the form of a circular wave spring orother suitable biasing device. The safety latch head 7 may be in theform of a screw and may be screwed to safety latch 5 or otherwiseattached to it by any other suitable means.

The resilient member 6 is mounted so as to push the safety latch 5 awayfrom the mounting base 1, as shown in section views 5 and perspectivesection views 6.

The safety latch 5 is said to be in latched position when the safetylatch head 7 prevents the locking lever 2 from rotating. The safetylatch 5 is said to be in open position when the safety latch 5 isdepressed, allowing the locking lever 2 to be rotated.

Now referring to FIG. 5A, 5B and 5C, section views of the safety latchmechanism of the present disclosure in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention are shown. In FIG. 5A the safety latch 5 is inlatched position and the locking lever 2 is in clamping position (mountrail 8 is clamped). This is the default spring-loaded position of thesafety latch mechanism. In this position the locking lever 2 cannotrotate due to an interfering relationship between the head of the latchlever head 7 and the latch head well 26.

In FIG. 5B the safety latch 5 is shown in an open position (the lockinglever 2 may rotate) and the locking lever 2 is in clamping position(mount rail 8 is clamped). In this position the locking lever 2 mayrotate because the head of the latch lever head 7 has been pushed abovethe latch head well 26. To be in this position, the safety latch must bepushed by the user. The user must keep applying pressure on the safetylatch 5 to initiate the rotation of the locking lever 2. In this sense,a double safety mechanism is thereby created.

In FIG. 5C the locking lever 2 is in a release position; the mount maybe removed from rail 8 when configured in this manner. In this view itwill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art why theperipheral angulated cam surface 28 must have a short straight section24. When the locking lever 2 is in a release position, the user may easepressure on the safety latch 5. To close the locking lever 2, the usermust push the safety latch 5, complete the rotation, then release thesafety latch 5 over the latch head well 26.

Now referring to FIG. 6A, 6B and 6C, perspective section views of thesafety latch mechanism in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure are shown.

Now referring to FIG. 7, a second embodiment that shares the samelocking lever assembly mechanism with the first and third embodimentsbut features a different safety latch 5 as well as a different latchingmechanism is illustrated. In this embodiment the mounting base featuresa locking member 18 that the safety latch 5 engages to preventaccidental rotation of the locking lever 2.

FIG. 7A shows the safety latch 5 in latched position and locking lever 2in a clamped position.

FIG. 7B and 7D show the safety latch 5 in an open position, with thelocking lever 2 still in a clamped position.

FIGS. 7C, 7F and 7E show the safety latch 5 in an open position andlocking lever 2 in a release position. In this position the rail 8 maybe disengaged.

In the second embodiment described above, and unlike the firstembodiments previously described and third embodiments yet to bedescribed, the safety latch is not spring loaded. Instead, it may beindexed with a ball plunger (not shown) in either the latched or openposition.

Now referring to FIG. 8A-8E, a third embodiment, which differs from thefirst embodiment primarily in that the safety latch 5 is integral to thelocking lever 2, and not to the mounting base 1 as is the case with thefirst embodiment, is illustrated.

As shown in FIG. 8E the mounting base 1 may feature a locking member 19.

As shown in FIG. 8D the locking lever 2 may feature a safety latch hole27.

As with the first embodiment, the user must apply pressure on the safetylatch 5 to initiate rotation of locking lever 2, preventing accidentalloosening of the quick-disconnect mount. Once the locking lever hasrotated away from the safety latch adjustment member 7, the user mayease pressure on the safety latch 5. To close the locking lever 2, theuser must push the safety latch 5, complete the rotation, then releasethe safety latch 5.

Now referring to FIGS. 9A-9G various embodiments of the accessory facingside of the mounting base 1 are illustrated.

As depicted in FIG. 9A, the accessory facing side, in embodiments, maybe flat and feature any number of accessory mounting holes 16.

As depicted in FIG. 9B, the accessory facing side may provide a cut-offfeature 15 in the form of a groove as well as any number of accessorymounting holes 16.

As depicted in FIG. 9C, the accessory facing side may provide any numberof accessory mounting projections 17, for instance to mount sightingdevices.

As depicted in FIG. 9D, the accessory facing side may provide acylindrical accessory mounting projection 17 that would enable theaccessory to rotate around the axis of said projection.

As depicted in FIG. 9E, the accessory facing side may provide any numberof accessory mounting projections 17 that would enable the accessory topivot to the side of the firearm.

As depicted in FIG. 9F, the accessory facing side may provide a concavecut-off feature 15 as well as any number of accessory mounting holes 16.

As depicted in FIG. 9G, the accessory facing side may provide acylindrical accessory mounting cavity 13 that would enable the accessoryto rotate around the axis of said cavity.

The locking lever 2 may also be located on the accessory side of themounting base 1, instead of the rail side as is the case in the first,second and third embodiments previously described, without departingfrom the intended scope of the present invention.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the disclosure has beenpresented for the purposes of illustration and description. Each andevery page of this submission, and all contents thereon, howevercharacterized, identified, or numbered, is considered a substantive partof this application for all purposes, irrespective of form or placementwithin the application. This specification is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed.Many modifications and variations are possible in light of thisdisclosure.

1: An accessory mounting system for releasable attachment to a mountingrail having oppositely angulated clamping surfaces, the systemcomprising: a mounting base having a plurality of angulated railclamping surfaces, said mounting base having at least one lever pivotcylinder opening therein; at least one locking lever, each said lockinglever comprising a pivot cylinder further comprising at least onethreaded hole configured for insertion into and rotation relative tosaid lever pivot cylinder opening, and further comprising a peripheralangulated cam surface being moveable into a force transmitting lockingengagement with one of said oppositely angulated clamping surfaces uponrotation of said locking lever from a release position to a clampingposition; a retention member threaded to said threaded hole of saidlocking lever pivot cylinder; and a resilient member installed betweensaid mounting base and said retention member, continuously urging saidlocking lever against said mounting rail, towards said mounting base. 2:The accessory mounting system of claim 1, whereby the position of theretention member can be adjusted, so that upon rotation of saidretention member, adjustment of the clamping force of said peripheralangulated cam surface against said mounting rail is effected. 3: Theaccessory mounting system of claim 1, whereby the retention member is ashoulder screw and is fully threaded in said locking lever's threadedhole. 4: The accessory mounting system of claim 1, further comprising: alocking member integral with or mounted to said mounting base; and asafety latch mounted to said locking lever and having a latched positionsecuring said locking lever at said clamping position and an openposition permitting rotation of said locking lever from said clampingposition to said release position. 5: An accessory mount for releasableattachment to a mounting rail, comprising: a mounting base having aplurality of angulated rail clamping surfaces; at least one lockinglever mounted to said mounting base and having a clamping positionestablishing clamping engagement with said mounting rail and a releaseposition releasing clamping engagement with said mounting rail, saidlocking lever comprising a peripheral angulated cam surface and a latchprojection; a safety latch assembled to said mounting base, selectivelyengaging said latch projection when said locking lever is at saidclamping position and securing said locking lever against rotation fromsaid clamping position, and configured for selective separation fromsaid latch projection, whereby rotation of said locking lever from saidclamping position to said release position may be effected; and aresilient member continuously biasing said safety latch to said latchedposition. 6: The accessory mount for releasable attachment to a mountingrail of claim 5, wherein, when said locking lever is at said clampingposition, the projection of said locking lever on a plane perpendicularto the axis of said resilient member is contained substantially withinthe projection of said mounting base on the same plane. 7: The accessorymount for releasable attachment to a mounting rail of claim 5, whereinsaid safety latch does not protrude substantially from said mountingbase. 8: An accessory mount for releasable attachment to a mountingrail, comprising: a mounting base having a plurality of angulated railclamping surfaces and a latch projection; at least one locking levermounted to said mounting base, moveable between a clamping positionestablishing clamping engagement with said mounting rail and a releaseposition releasing clamping engagement with said mounting rail; a safetylatch assembled to said locking lever, selectively engaging said latchprojection when said locking lever is at said clamping position andsecuring said locking lever against rotation from said clampingposition, and configured for selective separation from said latchprojection, whereby rotation of said locking lever from said clampingposition to said release position may be effected; and a resilientmember continuously biasing said safety latch to said latched position.9: The accessory mount for releasable attachment to a mounting rail ofclaim 8, wherein, when said locking lever is in the clamping position,the projection of said locking lever on a plane perpendicular to theaxis of said resilient member is contained substantially within theprojection of said mounting base on the same plane. 10: The accessorymount for releasable attachment to a mounting rail of claim 8, whereinsaid safety latch does protrude substantially from said mounting base.